Take that, Michael Phelps.

Proving that when life gives you lemons, one can make reality TV lemonade, rejected Bachelorette finalist Jason Mesnick has signed on to be the new Bachelor when the ABC series returns in January 2009.

The hunky single dad from Seattle had been all primed to propose to DeAnna Pappas, ring and everything, when she stopped him from getting down on one knee, leaving him — and millions of viewers — crushed.

Instead, she opted for 26-year-old snowboarder Jesse Csincsak.

Now Jason Mesnick gets another shot at making the perfect match.

The hunt is on for 25 women willing to bare their hearts, souls and claws.

Per ABC, the 32-year-old divorcé is now "looking for a woman who has a real curiosity about the world, who loves life and can find passion in life’s smallest moments." All on a reality TV show, of course.

Others rumored to be in consideration to star on The Bachelor included fellow DeAnna Pappas rejects Graham Bunn and Jeremy Anderson.

Matt Richenthal is the Editor in Chief of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Twitter and on Google+.